Specialized
staffing solutions
South Western Michigan
Labor Market Review
May 2016
A resource provided by the Michigan
Department of technology, management, and budget
for employers in the South western michigan area
Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, State Coordinator of Regional Economic Research
Southwest Michigan
201 N. Washington Sq., 5th Floor
Lansing  MI 48913  Phone: 517-241-6574
Bureau of Labor Market
Information and Strategic
Initiatives (LMISI)
May Unemployment Rates Inched Up in Most Southwest Michigan Labor Markets,
Despite Seasonal Job Gains
In May, the number of people looking for jobs
outpaced available job openings from mostly
seasonal hiring in construction, leisure and
hospitality, and professional and business
services. Unemployment rates edged up slightly
in most Southwest Michigan labor markets.
Figure 1: Jobless Rates
May 2016
Ann Arbor
3.2%
Grand Rapids-Wyoming
3.2%
3.7%
Kalamazoo-Portage
3.9%
Midland
4.0%
Battle Creek
4.2%
Niles-Benton Harbor
4.3%
Jackson
4.5%
Lansing-East Lansing
4.6%
Saginaw
4.7%
Muskegon
4.7%
Bay City
4.7%
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn
4.9%
Flint
5.0%
Metropolitan Statistical Areas
Monroe
0.0%
May Regional Jobless Rates Rose Slightly over
the Month but Continued to Show Noticeable
Declines over the Year
5.0%
10.0%
Figure 2: Jobless Rates for Southwest Michigan Counties
May 2016
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.6
May jobless rates rose slightly in four of the five
Southwest Michigan metro counties: Calhoun
(+0.1), Jackson (+0.1), Berrien (+0.2), and
Kalamazoo (+0.3). Van Buren’s unemployment
rate was flat in May (Table 1).
3.9
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.5
4.9
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
Source: Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic
Page | 1
Three of the four Southwest Michigan
Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) recorded
jobless rates that were below the statewide
unadjusted rate of 4.5 percent in May. The
unemployment rate for the Kalamazoo-Portage
MSA edged up two tenths of a percent from April
to 3.9 percent, ranking the area with the 4th
lowest jobless rate in May among the 14
Michigan metro areas. At 4.2 percent, the Battle
Creek MSA placed 6th and Niles-Benton Harbor
7th at 4.3 percent. Jackson recorded a jobless
rate (4.5 percent) that matched the statewide
rate and was ranked 8th (Figure 1).
Similarly, jobless rates were unchanged in two of
the six Southwest Michigan non-metro labor
markets (Allegan and Branch). Unemployment
rates edged up one to three tenths of percent for
the remaining four Southwest Michigan nonmetro counties of Cass, Hillsdale, Lenawee, and
Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, State Coordinator of Regional Economic Research
St. Joseph (Table 2). Jobless rates in Prosperity Regions 8 (Southwest) and 9 (Southeast) displayed
similar trends in May inching up by two and three tenths of a percentage point, respectively (Table 3).
Hillsdale and Jackson counties had unemployment rates that matched the state’s and nation’s
unadjusted rate of 4.5 percent in May. Only Van Buren County recorded a jobless rate that was higher
than 4.5 percent (Figure 2).
Unemployment rates in both metro and non-metro counties of Southwest Michigan continued to be
substantially below 2015 levels in May by an average of 1.3 and 1.1 percentage points, respectively.
Labor Force Levels Rose over the Month in Most Southwest Michigan Labor Markets but Were Mixed
Over the Year
In May, civilian labor force advanced in three of five local metro counties: Berrien (+800), Calhoun
(+500), and Jackson (+300). Workforce levels declined in Kalamazoo (-700) and Van Buren (-175)
counties. Over the year, labor force was flat in Calhoun, inched down in Van Buren (-200), declined in
Jackson (-1,300), but rose in Berrien (+200) and Kalamazoo (+1,800) counties (Table 1).
May workforce levels advanced in all six non-metro labor markets of Southwest Michigan, ranging
from +125 in Cass to +875 in Allegan County. Other substantial labor force additions were recorded in
Lenawee (+625), St. Joseph (+450), and Hillsdale (+425). Over the year, labor force rose in three of the
six local non-metro labor markets: Allegan (+500), Lenawee (+200), and St. Joseph (+125). Workforce
was down in Cass (-25), Hillsdale (250), and Branch (-275) (Table 2).
Employment Improved over the Month and over the Year in May in Most Local Labor Markets
In May, employment by place of residence edged up in
three of five Southwest Michigan metro counties:
Berrien (+600), Calhoun (+400), and Jackson (+200).
Kalamazoo and Van Buren lost jobs in May (-1,125 and 150, respectively).
Figure 3: Percent Employment Change in
Southwest Michigan Counties
Nation
Michigan
St. Joseph
Lenawee
Since May 2015, four of five local metro counties
recorded substantial employment gains: +400 (or +1.2%)
in Van Buren County, +800 (or +1.3%) in Calhoun, +1,100
(or +1.5%) in Berrien, and +3,225 (or +2.6%) in
Kalamazoo. Employment in Jackson was down 400 over
the year in May.
Hillsdale
Cass
Branch
Barry
Allegan
Berrien
Van Buren
May household employment levels improved in all
Southwest Michigan non-metro areas, ranging from +75
in Cass to +800 in Allegan County. Over the year in May,
employment advanced in Allegan (+1,075), Lenawee
(+750), St. Joseph (+475), and Cass (+300). Employment
remained flat in Hillsdale while inching down in Branch (75).
Page | 2
Kalamazoo
Jackson
Calhoun
-2
0
Over the Year
Over the Month
2
4
Source: Labor Market Information and
Strategic Initiatives
Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, State Coordinator of Regional Economic Research
Figure 4: Local Metro Area May Unemployment Rates Since 2007
All local metro areas recorded
substantial drops in current
May unemployment compared
to 2007 pre-recessionary levels:
Jackson
(-3.1
percentage
points), Battle Creek (-2.7),
Niles-Benton Harbor (-2.4), and
Kalamazoo (-1.6).
Year
s
Areas
Benton
Harbor
Battle
Creek
Grand
Rapids
Jackson
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
6.7
7.3
12.9
12.1
10.4
9.1
8.9
7.1
5.6
4.3
6.9
7.2
12.5
11.8
10.4
8.5
8.0
6.6
5.5
4.2
6.0
6.8
12.0
10.5
8.5
7.1
6.7
5.4
4.2
3.2
7.6
8.0
13.8
12.3
10.2
8.7
8.5
6.9
5.6
4.5
8.2
7.8
6.5
5.2
3.9
In fact, since the double-digit Kalamazoo 5.5 6.3 10.8 11.0
9.4
peak in 2009, May jobless rates
in local metro areas have dipped by an average of -7.6 percentage points.
However, it is important to note that despite the current low unemployment rates in local metro
areas, the number of individuals active in the labor market (employed or unemployed) remain below
2007 pre-recessionary levels by an average of 5,000 within the four local metro areas (with 2,500
fewer individuals employed and 2,500 fewer persons looking for jobs).
Figure 5: Comparing the Trend of Local MSAs’ May Unemployment Rates Since 2007
Unemployment Rates
16.0
14.0
Benton Harbor
12.0
Jackson
Kalamazoo
10.0
Battle Creek
8.0
Gd. Rapids
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
'07
'08
'09
'10
'11
'12
'13
'14
'15
'16
Years
Source: Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives
May Nonfarm Payroll Jobs Improved Seasonally in Three of Four Southwest Michigan Metro Areas
In May, all local metro areas recorded seasonal employment gains in construction, leisure and
hospitality, and professional and business services. However, the Kalamazoo MSA registered a
seasonal employment cut in state education.
Battle Creek Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) (Calhoun County)
Nonfarm payroll employment in the Battle Creek MSA (Calhoun County) rose by 900 in May to a total
of 60,000. The sectors of construction and leisure and hospitality services each added 300 jobs
seasonally in May. The area also recorded a 100-employment advancement each in private educational
and health services, professional and business services, and retail trade.
Page | 3
Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, State Coordinator of Regional Economic Research
Figure 6: Sectors with Payroll Job Change (April - May 2016)
Battle Creek MSA
0.9%
Educational and Health
0.9%
Government
1.1%
Trade, Transportation,
1.5%
Total Nonfarm
1.6%
Professional and Busin
6.7%
Leisure and Hospitalit
20.0%
Mining & Construction
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
Source: Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives
Since May 2015, payroll employment improved in private education and health services (+300) and in
professional and business services (+200). A 100-job gain each was also recorded in manufacturing and
retail trade. However, the sectors of leisure and hospitality services and of other private services
(personal care, repair, laundry, etc.) each cut 100 positions year to year. Total payroll jobs in Battle
Creek advanced by 500 over the year. Nonfarm payroll employment in the Battle Creek metro area was
500 above the 2007 pre-recessionary level of 59,500.
Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson County)
Figure 7: Sectors with Payroll Job Change (April - May 2016)
Jackson MSA
Trade, Transportation,
0.8%
1.0%
Manufacturing
1.5%
Total Nonfarm
2.3%
Professional and Busin
2.6%
Government
4.1%
Leisure and Hospitalit
Mining & Construction
5.6%
0.0%
1.0%
2.0%
3.0%
4.0%
5.0%
6.0%
Source: Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives
Nonfarm payroll employment in the Jackson MSA (Jackson County) was up 800 in May to a total of
55,800. Employment in leisure and hospitality and in government advanced by 200 each, and a 100-job
gain each was recorded in construction, manufacturing, retail trade, and in professional and business
services. Employment in all other sectors remained flat over the month.
Since May 2015, most sectors continued to register employment declines or no job gains, with the
exception of a 100-job addition in professional and business services. Employment in private
education and health services plunged by 600, while jobs in trade, transportation, warehousing, and
utilities were down 400 (with -200 in retail trade alone). Government also cut 200 positions year to
year in May. Total nonfarm payroll employment in Jackson dropped by 1,300 (or -2.3 percent) since
May 2015, and was still 4,000 (or 7.5 percent) below the 2007 pre-recessionary level of 59,800.
Page | 4
Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, State Coordinator of Regional Economic Research
Kalamazoo-Portage MSA (Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties)
Figure 8: Sectors with Payroll Job Change (April - May 2016)
Kalamazoo MSA
Government
-8.4%
Total Nonfarm
-0.2%
Manufacturing
0.5%
1.2%
1.3%
1.8%
Financial Activities
Leisure and Hospitalit
Other Services
4.1%
5.3%
Professional and Busin
11.1%
Mining & Construction
-10.0%
-5.0%
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
Information
Source: Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives
A seasonal employment cut of 2,200 in state higher education, due to the start of summer break,
resulted in an overall reduction of 300 jobs in total nonfarm payroll employment in the KalamazooPortage MSA (Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties). In addition, the area recorded the typical May
seasonal employment additions in construction (+300), professional and business services (+700), and
accommodation and food services (+500).
Over the year in May, job gains occurred in most industry sectors, with the exception of wholesale
trade (-300), other services (-100), and educational services (flat). Noticeable employment
improvements were recorded in professional and business services (+1,300) and retail trade (+500). A
400-job addition each was recorded in construction, health care and social assistance, accommodation
and food services, and government. Leisure and hospitality employment rose by 300, and
manufacturing added 200 positions over the year in May. Total payroll jobs in Kalamazoo were 3,500
or 2.5 percent above May 2015 levels, and remained a little below the May 2007 pre-recessionary level
of 146,800.
Niles-Benton Harbor MSA (Berrien County)
Figure 9: Sectors with Payroll Job Change (April - May 2016)
Niles-Benton Harbor MSA
Educational and Health
-1.1%
Trade, Transportation,
0.9%
1.5%
Manufacturing
1.8%
Total Nonfarm
5.6%
Mining & Construction
10.7%
Leisure and Hospitalit
-2.0%
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
12.0%
Source: Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives
Page | 5
Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, State Coordinator of Regional Economic Research
A seasonal job gain of 800 in leisure and hospitality and an addition of 200 jobs in manufacturing
pushed total nonfarm payroll jobs in the Niles-Benton Harbor MSA (Berrien County) to a total of
63,300. The area also gained 100 jobs each in construction and in professional and business services
but lost another 100 in private educational and health services. Employment in all other sectors
remained unchanged over the month.
Since May 2015, employment in most private sectors improved or remained unchanged, with the
exception of professional and business services (-600) and other private services (-200). The sectors of
leisure and hospitality and of trade, transportation, warehousing, and utilities each added 600 new
positions year to year in May. Employment in manufacturing also advanced by 500. Total nonfarm
payroll employment in the Niles-Benton Harbor MSA was 900 or 1.4 percent above May 2015 levels.
However, current May payroll jobs were still 1,500 below the pre-recessionary May 2007 level of
64,800 and 2,500 below the 10-year May peak of 65,800 attained in 2008.
Notes:
Data in this release are not seasonally adjusted. As a result, employment and unemployment trends
outlined in this release for May could differ from previously released Michigan seasonally adjusted
data.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact the Regional Contact, Dr. Leonidas Murembya, in
Lansing at 517/241-6574, or visit our website at http://www.michigan.gov/lmi.
Page | 6
Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, State Coordinator of Regional Economic Research
Table 1: Southeast and Southwest Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Areas - Labor Force Estimates
Monthly Change
Numeric Percent
800
1.1%
600
0.8%
200
6.5%
0.2
Annual Change
Numeric
Percent
200
0.3%
1,100
1.5%
-900
-21.4%
-1.3
Area
Niles-Benton Harbor
MSA (Berrien County)
Data
Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Rate
May '16
75,700
72,400
3,300
4.3
Apr. '16
74,900
71,800
3,100
4.1
May '15
75,500
71,300
4,200
5.6
Battle Creek MSA
(Calhoun County)
Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Rate
65,800
63,000
2,800
4.2
65,300
62,600
2,700
4.1
65,800
62,200
3,600
5.5
500
400
100
0.1
0.8%
0.6%
3.7%
0
800
-800
-1.3
0.0%
1.3%
-22.2%
Jackson MSA
(Jackson County)
Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Rate
73,300
70,000
3,300
4.5
73,000
69,800
3,200
4.4
74,600
70,400
4,200
5.6
300
200
100
0.1
0.4%
0.3%
3.1%
-1,300
-400
-900
-1.1
-1.7%
-0.6%
-21.4%
Kalamazoo-Portage MSA
Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Rate
168,800
162,200
6,600
3.9
169,700
163,500
6,200
3.7
167,200
158,600
8,600
5.2
-900
-1,300
400
0.2
-0.5%
-0.8%
6.5%
1,600
3,600
-2,000
-1.3
1.0%
2.3%
-23.3%
Kalamazoo
County
Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Rate
132,875
128,025
4,825
3.6
133,575
129,150
4,425
3.3
131,075
124,800
6,275
4.8
-700
-1,125
400
0.3
-0.5%
-0.9%
9.0%
1,800
3,225
-1,450
-1.2
1.4%
2.6%
-23.1%
Van Buren
County
Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Rate
35,925
34,175
1,750
4.9
36,100
34,325
1,775
4.9
36,125
33,775
2,375
6.5
-175
-150
-25
0.0
-0.5%
-0.4%
-1.4%
-200
400
-625
-1.6
-0.6%
1.2%
-26.3%
Grand Rapids-Wyoming
MSA
Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Rate
570,400
552,200
18,200
3.2
566,000
549,400
16,700
2.9
561,400
537,700
23,800
4.2
4,400
2,800
1,500
0.3
0.8%
0.5%
9.0%
9,000
14,500
-5,600
-1.0
1.6%
2.7%
-23.5%
Livingston
Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Rate
97,875
94,125
3,750
3.8
96,100
92,800
3,325
3.5
95,550
90,425
5,150
5.4
1,775
1,325
425
0.3
1.8%
1.4%
12.8%
2,325
3,700
-1,400
-1.6
2.4%
4.1%
-27.2%
Ann Arbor MSA
(Washtenaw County)
Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Rate
199,100
192,800
6,300
3.2
199,400
194,000
5,500
2.7
192,200
184,100
8,100
4.2
-300
-1,200
800
0.5
-0.2%
-0.6%
14.5%
6,900
8,700
-1,800
-1.0
3.6%
4.7%
-22.2%
Source: Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives
Page | 7
Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, State Coordinator of Regional Economic Research
Table 2: Southeast and Southwest Michigan Non-Metro Counties - Labor Force Estimates
Monthly Change
Numeric Percent
875
1.4%
800
1.3%
50
2.4%
0.0
Annual Change
Numeric
Percent
500
0.8%
1,075
1.8%
-600
-22.0%
-1.0
Area
Allegan
Data
Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
May '16
62,275
60,125
2,125
3.4
Apr. '16
61,400
59,325
2,075
3.4
May '15
61,775
59,050
2,725
4.4
Branch
Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
19,400
18,550
850
4.4
19,200
18,350
825
4.4
19,675
18,625
1,050
5.4
200
200
25
0.0
1.0%
1.1%
3.0%
-275
-75
-200
-1.0
-1.4%
-0.4%
-19.0%
Cass
Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
24,650
23,675
975
3.9
24,525
23,600
925
3.8
24,675
23,375
1,275
5.2
125
75
50
0.1
0.5%
0.3%
5.4%
-25
300
-300
-1.3
-0.1%
1.3%
-23.5%
Hillsdale
Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
21,225
20,275
950
4.5
20,800
19,925
875
4.2
21,475
20,275
1,200
5.6
425
350
75
0.3
2.0%
1.8%
8.6%
-250
0
-250
-1.1
-1.2%
0.0%
-20.8%
Lenawee
Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
49,075
47,050
2,025
4.1
48,450
46,600
1,825
3.8
48,875
46,300
2,575
5.3
625
450
200
0.3
1.3%
1.0%
11.0%
200
750
-550
-1.2
0.4%
1.6%
-21.4%
St. Joseph
Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Unemployment Rate
29,825
28,750
1,075
3.6
29,375
28,375
1,000
3.4
29,700
28,275
1,425
4.8
450
375
75
0.2
1.5%
1.3%
7.5%
125
475
-350
-1.2
0.4%
1.7%
-24.6%
Source: Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives
Table 3: Prosperity Regions Labor Force Estimates
Area
8 - Southwest Prosperity Region
(Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass,
Kalamazoo, St. Joseph,
Van Buren counties)
Data
Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Rate
May '16
384,175
368,575
15,575
4.1
Apr. '16
382,975
368,200
14,750
3.9
May '15
382,550
362,350
20,200
5.3
9 – Southeast Prosperity Region
(Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee,
Livingston, Monroe,
Washtenaw counties)
Labor Force
Employed
Unemployed
Rate
519,575
500,350
19,225
3.7
516,350
498,925
17,625
3.4
510,300
485,300
25,025
4.9
Source: Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives
Page | 8
Monthly Change
Numeric Percent
1,200
0.3%
375
0.1%
825
5.6%
0.2
3,225
1,425
1,600
0.3
0.6%
0.3%
9.1%
Annual Change
Numeric Percent
1,625
0.4%
6,225
1.7%
-4,625
-22.9%
-1.2
9,275
15,050
-5,800
-1.2
1.8%
3.1%
-23.2%
Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, State Coordinator of Regional Economic Research
Table 4: Southeast and Southwest Michigan MSAs - Payroll Employment - May 2016
Ann Arbor MSA
Total Nonfarm
Mining, Logging, and Construction
Manufacturing
Trade, Transportation, Utilities
Information
Financial Activities
Professional and Business
Educational and Health
Leisure and Hospitality
Other Services
Government
May
2016
224,900
4,000
15,000
25,900
5,200
7,400
31,900
27,500
20,000
6,700
81,300
April
2016
225,200
3,800
15,000
25,800
5,200
7,300
31,700
27,400
18,600
6,600
83,800
May
2015
214,200
3,900
14,500
25,400
5,200
7,300
28,800
27,200
17,100
6,600
78,200
Monthly
Change
-300
200
0
100
0
100
200
100
1,400
100
-2,500
Monthly
% Change
-0.1%
5.3%
0.0%
0.4%
0.0%
1.4%
0.6%
0.4%
7.5%
1.5%
-3.0%
Annual
Change
10,700
100
500
500
0
100
3,100
300
2,900
100
3,100
Annual
% Change
5.0%
2.6%
3.4%
2.0%
0.0%
1.4%
10.8%
1.1%
17.0%
1.5%
4.0%
May
2016
60,000
1,800
12,100
9,400
1,300
6,400
11,000
4,800
2,000
10,700
April
2016
59,100
1,500
12,100
9,300
1,300
6,300
10,900
4,500
2,000
10,600
May
2015
59,500
1,800
12,000
9,400
1,300
6,200
10,700
4,900
2,100
10,700
Monthly
Change
900
300
0
100
0
100
100
300
0
100
Monthly
% Change
1.5%
20.0%
0.0%
1.1%
0.0%
1.6%
0.9%
6.7%
0.0%
0.9%
Annual
Change
500
0
100
0
0
200
300
-100
-100
0
Annual
% Change
0.8%
0.0%
0.8%
0.0%
0.0%
3.2%
2.8%
-2.0%
-4.8%
0.0%
May
2016
55,800
1,900
9,800
12,400
300
1,900
4,400
9,600
5,100
2,500
7,900
April
2016
55,000
1,800
9,700
12,300
300
1,900
4,300
9,600
4,900
2,500
7,700
May
2015
57,100
1,900
9,800
12,800
400
1,900
4,300
10,200
5,100
2,600
8,100
Monthly
Change
800
100
100
100
0
0
100
0
200
0
200
Monthly
% Change
1.5%
5.6%
1.0%
0.8%
0.0%
0.0%
2.3%
0.0%
4.1%
0.0%
2.6%
Annual
Change
-1,300
0
0
-400
-100
0
100
-600
0
-100
-200
Annual
% Change
-2.3%
0.0%
0.0%
-3.1%
-25.0%
0.0%
2.3%
-5.9%
0.0%
-3.8%
-2.5%
May
2016
146,200
6,000
21,000
26,300
1,000
8,500
17,800
23,000
16,100
5,800
20,700
April
2016
146,500
5,700
20,900
26,300
900
8,400
17,100
23,000
15,900
5,700
22,600
May
2015
142,700
5,600
20,800
26,100
900
8,200
16,500
22,600
15,800
5,900
20,300
Monthly
Change
-300
300
100
0
100
100
700
0
200
100
-1,900
Monthly
% Change
-0.2%
5.3%
0.5%
0.0%
11.1%
1.2%
4.1%
0.0%
1.3%
1.8%
-8.4%
Annual
Change
3,500
400
200
200
100
300
1,300
400
300
-100
400
Annual
% Change
2.5%
7.1%
1.0%
0.8%
11.1%
3.7%
7.9%
1.8%
1.9%
-1.7%
2.0%
Battle Creek MSA
Total Nonfarm
Mining, Logging, and Construction
Manufacturing
Trade, Transportation,
Financial Activities
Professional and Business
Educational and Health
Leisure and Hospitality
Other Services
Government
Jackson MSA
Total Nonfarm
Mining, Logging, and Construction
Manufacturing
Trade, Transportation, Utilities
Information
Financial Activities
Professional and Business
Educational and Health
Leisure and Hospitality
Other Services
Government
Kalamazoo MSA
Total Nonfarm
Mining, Logging, and Construction
Manufacturing
Trade, Transportation, Utilities
Information
Financial Activities
Professional and Business
Educational and Health
Leisure and Hospitality
Other Services
Government
Page | 9
Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, State Coordinator of Regional Economic Research
Table 4: Southeast and Southwest Michigan MSAs - Payroll Employment - May 2016 (continued)
Niles-Benton Harbor MSA
Total Nonfarm
Mining, Logging, and Construction
Manufacturing
Trade, Transportation, Utilities
Information
Financial Activities
Professional and Business
Educational and Health
Leisure and Hospitality
Other Services
Government
May
2016
63,300
1,900
13,500
11,400
500
2,300
5,400
9,000
8,300
2,200
8,800
April
2016
62,200
1,800
13,300
11,300
500
2,300
5,400
9,100
7,500
2,200
8,800
Source: Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives
Page | 10
May
2015
62,400
1,900
13,000
10,800
500
2,200
6,000
9,000
7,700
2,400
8,900
Monthly
Change
1,100
100
200
100
0
0
0
-100
800
0
0
Monthly
% Change
1.8%
5.6%
1.5%
0.9%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
-1.1%
10.7%
0.0%
0.0%
Annual
Change
900
0
500
600
0
100
-600
0
600
-200
-100
Annual
% Change
1.4%
0.0%
3.8%
5.6%
0.0%
4.5%
-10.0%
0.0%
7.8%
-8.3%
-1.1%
Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, State Coordinator of Regional Economic Research
Table 5: Southeast and Southwest Michigan Works! Agencies Local Area Employment Data – 2016
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Ann Avg
Branch-Calhoun-Kalamazoo-St. Joseph
Labor force
244,350
247,225
Employment
234,900
237,475
Unemployed
9,450
9,750
Rate
3.9
3.9
247,575
237,625
9,925
4.0
247,400
238,450
8,950
3.6
247,875
238,325
9,550
3.9
246,875
237,350
9,525
3.9
Branch
Calhoun
Labor force
Employment
Unemployed
Rate
18,875
18,000
875
4.6
19,025
18,175
850
4.5
19,125
18,250
875
4.6
19,200
18,350
825
4.4
19,400
18,550
850
4.4
19,125
18,275
850
4.5
Labor force
Employment
Unemployed
Rate
64,650
61,775
2,875
4.4
65,450
62,450
3,025
4.6
65,425
62,400
3,025
4.6
65,275
62,600
2,675
4.1
65,800
63,000
2,775
4.2
65,325
62,450
2,875
4.4
Labor force
Employment
Unemployed
Rate
131,600
126,975
4,625
3.5
133,275
128,475
4,800
3.6
133,625
128,700
4,925
3.7
133,575
129,150
4,425
3.3
132,875
128,025
4,825
3.6
132,975
128,275
4,725
3.5
Labor force
Employment
Unemployed
Rate
29,200
28,125
1,075
3.7
29,450
28,375
1,100
3.7
29,375
28,275
1,125
3.8
29,375
28,375
1,000
3.4
29,825
28,750
1,075
3.6
29,450
28,375
1,075
3.6
133,275
126,425
6,850
5.1
135,375
128,200
7,175
5.3
135,450
128,475
6,975
5.2
135,500
129,725
5,775
4.3
136,300
130,325
6,000
4.4
135,175
128,625
6,550
4.8
Labor force
Employment
Unemployed
Rate
73,300
69,700
3,500
4.8
74,400
70,700
3,700
5.0
74,300
70,800
3,600
4.8
74,900
71,800
3,100
4.1
75,700
72,400
3,300
4.3
74,500
71,100
3,400
4.6
Labor force
Employment
Unemployed
Rate
24,325
23,200
1,125
4.6
24,650
23,500
1,150
4.7
24,625
23,450
1,175
4.7
24,525
23,600
925
3.8
24,650
23,675
975
3.9
24,550
23,475
1,075
4.4
Labor force
Employment
Unemployed
Rate
35,675
33,475
2,200
6.1
36,325
34,000
2,325
6.4
36,475
34,250
2,225
6.1
36,100
34,325
1,775
4.9
35,925
34,175
1,750
4.9
36,100
34,050
2,050
5.7
Kalamazoo
St. Joseph
Berrien-Cass-Van Buren
Labor force
Employment
Unemployed
Rate
Berrien
Cass
Van Buren
Continue on next page
Page | 11
Author: Dr. Leonidas Murembya, State Coordinator of Regional Economic Research
Table 5: Southeast and Southwest Michigan Works! Agencies Local Area Employment Data – 2016 (continued)
January
February
March
April
May
Southeast Michigan Consortium
Labor force
428,725
Employment
412,175
Unemployed
16,550
Rate
3.9
436,000
419,425
16,575
3.8
438,025
421,125
16,900
3.9
437,775
423,100
14,675
3.4
440,500
424,200
16,300
3.7
436,200
420,000
16,200
3.7
Hillsdale
Jackson
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Ann Avg
Labor force
Employment
Unemployed
Rate
20,600
19,600
975
4.8
20,825
19,875
950
4.6
20,850
19,900
950
4.6
20,800
19,925
875
4.2
21,225
20,275
950
4.5
20,875
19,925
950
4.5
Labor force
Employment
Unemployed
Rate
72,300
68,900
3,400
4.7
72,900
69,300
3,500
4.9
72,900
69,400
3,500
4.8
73,000
69,800
3,200
4.4
73,300
70,000
3,300
4.5
72,900
69,500
3,400
4.7
Labor force
Employment
Unemployed
Rate
47,500
45,250
2,250
4.7
48,525
46,375
2,175
4.5
48,550
46,425
2,125
4.4
48,450
46,600
1,825
3.8
49,075
47,050
2,025
4.1
48,425
46,350
2,075
4.3
Labor force
Employment
Unemployed
Rate
95,550
91,150
4,375
4.6
96,225
92,025
4,225
4.4
97,350
93,000
4,375
4.5
96,100
92,800
3,325
3.5
97,875
94,125
3,750
3.8
96,625
92,625
4,000
4.1
192,800
187,250
5,525
2.9
197,525
191,825
5,700
2.9
198,325
192,400
5,925
3.0
199,400
193,950
5,450
2.7
199,075
192,750
6,300
3.2
197,425
191,650
5,775
2.9
Livingston
Lenawee
Washtenaw
Labor force
Employment
Unemployed
Rate
Source: Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives
Page | 12